Peugeot takes IRC Manufacturers title in Spain

Peugeot has taken its third Intercontinental Rally Challenge Manufacturers title in succession following Round 9 of this year's IRC Series, the Rally Principe de Asturias in Spain.

A points total of 109 means no other manufacturer can now catch the Peugeot team.

And Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle, the Peugeot UK crew, retained their lead in the Drivers' competition, eventually finishing second despite losing time to a puncture on Day One.
Kris and Paul went into the event with a 3-point lead in the drivers' championship in the IRC Series. Their big rival for the title was Skoda's Jan Kopecky, who was the eventual winner.

There were six rounds on the final day, beginning with Stage 10, fought out in the very early dawn. Kris set fastest time, closing the gap on Freddy Loix to just 7.4 seconds, but ominously Jan Kopecky went ahead of his fellow Skoda driver Alberto Hevia to pressure overnight leader Giandomenico Basso, 12.1 seconds ahead.